Agency Details:

Elder Network

Elder Network provides emotional, physical, social and spiritual support to Olmsted’s growing population of seniors who live on fixed incomes, have limited support and endure the physical limitations that often come with advanced age. Loneliness, chronic illness, pain, frustration and diminished physical agility can lead to depression. We strive to expand and continually develop our programs to address unmet needs within the community and assure that older individuals have the support they need to enable them to continue living in their chosen environment, with dignity. Elder Network has been successful with securing, maintaining, enhancing and bettering the lives of seniors by assisting them to fulfilled, meaningful lives.

Description:
Elder Network Peer Counselors provide confidential, emotional support to people 60 years and older through weekly home visits, assisting them in accessing community resources and providing information. Peer Counselors have completed training to be supportive, to listen, and to help with issues of isolation, depression, grief and anxiety.

Elder Network Caregiver Respite Volunteers provide respite support time, visiting and doing activities with the Caregiver’s homebound loved one. This also allows the Caregiver an opportunity to have time away to address their personal needs, like attending a support group. The volunteers are trained to enhance the quality of their visits with the Care Receiver.

Elder Network also provides friendly visitors and transportation rides to medical and/or dental appointments. Because of the flexibility of our volunteer programs, it is a great opportunity for families and working people.

History:
Elder Network began in 1988 in the Olmsted County area. At that time, peer counseling was its main focus. At the present time, Elder Network's program has spread to 2 surrounding counties, other areas in Minnesota, and has been replicated outside the state.

The agency now offers Peer Counseling, Peer Education, Mental Health and Chemical Health Screening, Caregiver support programs include Respite Care, a family education series called "As Families Grow Older", and another series called "The Savvy Caregiver" for those dealing with a loved one with dementia. The staff also facilitates caregiver support groups. A community based educations session of Depression is called "The Blues: Not a Normal Part of Aging" and is part of a statewide campaign to decrease the stigmas of depression and to assist people in getting help that they need.

Our services continue to expand to serve older adults and their families so that the last stage of life is supported by healthy relationships with others.

Contact person: Laurie A Marreel, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (507) 285-5272
Office fax number: (507) 284-0884

Address:

1130 1/2 7th Street NW, Suite 205 Rochester, MN 55901 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.elder-network.org

Directions:

By Northgate Fitness Center

Last updated on October 27, 2009